Granny square of the week: mini squared circle

I love granny squares in all forms, simple squares, elaborate hexagons and any shape with a flower.  This is a very simple mini square, but sometimes that's exactly what you want to show off a yarn or colour combination or just to have something relaxing to work on in the car (if you're lucky enough not to be the driver) or in front of the TV in the evening.  Join 4 together with your favourite join to make a lovely bigger square or just use up your scraps, keep the minis in a bag and when you have enough, join them all together to make a unique scrappy blanket.

Here's the pattern, written in standard UK terms.  Stdc is a standing double crochet, just start off as if you were working a regular double crochet (it replaces join with ss and ch1).

R1: Ch4 (counts as first tr), in last ch from hook work 11tr, ss to top of first tr, fasten off.  (12 st)

R2: Join with stdc between 2 tr, ch1, and then work 1dc, 1ch between st all the way around, ss to first ch1 sp and fasten off.  (12st, 12 ch1 sp)

R3: Join with stdc in any ch1 sp, then ch1. * In next ch1 sp, work (1tr, ch2, 1tr, ch1), then 1dc, ch1 in each of next 2 ch1 sp. Repeat from * twice more.  In next ch1 sp work (1tr, ch1, 1tr, ch2), 1dc, ch1 in next ch1 sp, ss to first st and fasten off.  (16 st, 16 ch1 sp)

This is a great way to use up small scraps.  The yarn I used is Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK in mauve and shell pink.

This is the first of a series of granny squares which work beautifully together or can be used on their own.

Quick crochet episode 1: the Burst brooch

Having called it a brooch, it isn't just a brooch.  Burst works brilliantly on top of a beanie instead of a pompom as well, but as spring is finally here, let's celebrate its beauty as a sweet little brooch.

It's easy and quick to make and complete accuracy is definitely not essential.  Variegated yarn is perfect to give you lots of colours in one hit, or choose a really vibrant jewel coloured solid to make a bold statement.

Use any yarn weight with the appropriate hook.  DK gives a good size, not too chunky, not too tiny.  I used about 6g to 8g of DK for one Burst.  You will need yarn, crochet hook, darning needle and brooch pin/safety pin.

To begin, chain 50.  Starting with the 11th chain from the hook, work 1 double crochet (UK terms, if you're using US terminology that's a single crochet).

Working the 10ch, 1dc - it will get a bit twisty but don't worry.

Next chain 10 and then work 1 double crochet in the next st.  Do that again.  And again.  And again.  Keep repeating the 10 chain stitch and 1 double crochet all the way along your original starting chain.  When you've worked the last stitch, fasten off, leaving a good length of yarn for stitching up, about 30cm/12".

The reverse side after rolling up - take your time and make sure the
original chain doesn't twist and keep the base as flat as you can.

Starting from the last stitch where your long tail is, start to roll up the work, keeping the base flat and stitching through from one side to the other as you go with each turn.  Finish with a couple of stitches on the base to secure the yarn and then stitch on your brooch pin or safety pin.

Happy hooking!